New and Digital Media Stories: Week 7

Article from The Guardian

The article outlines the BBC's response to criticism they are receiving for their online journalism. However, the BBC have clearly expressed that this isn't an issue for them.  #

Key Quotes/Statistics include: 

• A survey commissioned by the BBC has found that 95% of the public think that it is important for the BBC to upload journalism on apps and website
• Only 6% said they thought the negative impact on newspapers meant the BBC should stop publishing online and 83% and the BBC should continue its current approach to putting newspaper online.
• BBC director general Tony Hall said that "of course we are happy to engage and debate what the BBC does online, but impartial online journalism is important alongside what newspapers do" and "I am not knocking what they do - there is much to admire about our newspaper industry, which is the best in the world, but there is room for both the BBC and newspapers" - it is interesting how Hall has highlighted BBC as a separate form of news to the newspapers.  
• Hall continues: "I said right at the start that the voice of the public matters most. We are accountable to them and we are all shaping the BBC of the future for them"
• Lynne Anderson, depute chief executive of the News Media Association stated that: "This increasingly bring it into direct competition with published media online platforms. The BBC itself has recognised that from now on it needs to be more distinctive and the impact of its operations on the commercial sector should be the subject of careful and considered assessment". 
• Regional newspapers have been specifically vocal in complaining about the corporations impact on their business and ability to report on local news issues effectively. 

In my opinion, I think it good that the BBC are complying to the wants of the mass populace. However, I understand the inconvenience of this towards other news corporations as the journalists who are inputting time to creating high quality content in newspapers, but their work isn't being read due to the free website and app content made from the BBC.  

Article from The Guardian 

The article addresses the new development of a device that connects all others together made by Amazon Echo. 

Key Quotes and ideas: 

• Echo is a connected always-on device for your home which is "designed around your voice". 
• It allows the user to perform Siri-like voice commands such as searches, playing music or setting alarm by saying the word "Alexa".
• The article argues the unoriginality of this using 'Siri' from Apple, Google's "Say Google" and androids similar style of techniques too. 
• 84% of consumers said that they would be interest in this new adaptation. 

In my opinion, I find the technological development to be astounding and rather scary in some respects. However, for a new and digital media development, I think that it is exciting and can hopefully bring something new than the previous "speech" orientated devices.